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Buzzard Droppings May 2007

Text Box: By now we have completed the new aero machine for the Club Builders Competition. The Builders Competition, in my way of thinking, is the beginning of a new season of fun and games at the field, Fun Flys, Combat events and the normal sport flying, and just being with our fellow fliers. Even if some of them don’t have same views as to the best radio or power source to propel the plane.
Last year we had a great year as far as safety was concerned. No major happenings, a few spectacular crashes and a few airplanes in the trees across the way. 
The last sentence in the intent of the Safety Rules is “Common Sense and courtesy shall prevail at all times”. Our safety rules are included just in case you have lost yours. 
So what is Common Sense? My dictionary defines common sense as sound practical judgment that is independent of specialized knowledge, training, or the like; normal native intelligence.
Is it common sense not to put a finger into a spinning prop?  Or is it some of the specialized knowledge that Mr. Webster is talking about. To most of us this is common sense, but to a four-year-old child it may not be so.
Rule 9. “Pilots shall not stand on the runway while flying.” Common sense tells us that it is much easier to hit a target the closer you are to it.  Or is that another bit of knowledge we learned in our childhood? So by standing on the runway it should be easier to hit the runway and not land in the tall grass. This is where the sound practical judgment comes in to play. We don’t stand on the runway; we stand on one of the designated pilot stations (by the way there are a few pilots that think this rule does not apply to them).
What I’m saying is 99% of what we call common sense is something we have actually learned by education or experience, the club (and AMA) Safety Rules are just what the old timers have learned though experience and education and make they sense. That’s why we don’t have a rule stating to land you have to stand on one foot and sing Row-Row-Your-Boat (unless you are at a Fun Fly!?). 
Fly safe, have fun !
UNTIL NEXT TIME, BE SAFE BE COURTEOUS 
Vince Bell, Safety Officer

Club Meeting

April 3, 2007

At Alfy’s

Pizza

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